Governor reviews security for Amarnath pilgrimage

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 21

Governor Satya Pal Malik chaired a high-level meeting at Raj Bhawan here on Tuesday to review security arrangements with regard to the Amarnath yatra that is scheduled to commence from July 1.

The Governor, who is also the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board chairman, stressed the need for all agencies concerned to maintain a close watch and effective coordination to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. An official statement said detailed presentations were made by the security agencies regarding the security environment in the state.

The meeting held extensive discussions with regard to preparedness for meeting any unforeseen situation arising in the yatra area; deployment of road opening party for safe movement of yatris; corridor security and area domination; functioning of the joint control rooms at every camp; linking up joint control rooms with the meteorological department and the district disaster management units; deployment of mountain rescue teams of the state police along with rescue teams of various security forces at identified locations on both the yatra routes; deployment of well-equipped fire-fighting teams at pre-determined points; installation of X-ray baggage scanning units; access control arrangements at Neelgrath, Panjtarni and Pahalgam helipads, etc.

The meeting also discussed the enforcement of an effective access control system at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps and at the Domel and Chandanwari access control gates; effective traffic regulation from Lakhanpur check-post onwards through augmentation of the existing strength of traffic police; air traffic control arrangements for heli-services from 

Pahalgam and Baltal to Panjtarni; transit camps arrangements and installation of CCTVs at various camps.

Malik stressed that all security agencies should rectify the deficiencies, if any, observed during the previous yatras and provide foolproof security cover to yatris during their forward and return journey.

The meeting was attended by K Vijay Kumar, Adviser to the Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps; Dilbag Singh, Director General of Police and other senior officers.

Stresses effective coordination

Governor Satya Pal Malik, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, stressed the need for all agencies concerned to maintain a close watch and effective coordination to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.